Well, it ... does. On some level. And he's already thought about this, thought about it a lot, in fact, since that conversation back in september, trying to wrap his head about it.

By normal standards it would be unbelievable. But it does make some kind of sense and he's going to accept the sense he can get out of it, because that's what he's always done and it's worked in his favour so far.

Alessa and Cheryl had been the same but separate. What she's trying to get across after that is a tangle of yarn and all he can do is try to tug gently on a few threads, or, right now, just let it lie.

"Pause for a moment," he offers softly, matching her own tone somewhat. "Take your time."

So many breaks in her speech. She's upset, one way or the other.